Each local educational agency (LEA) is required to submit a consolidated application to the Tennessee Department of Education each year in order to receive federal funds under NCLB. The application supplies information on various federal programs as required by NCLB. The application acts as a contract between the LEA and the State. A condition of receiving approval of the NCLB Consolidated Application is the completion and approval of the LEA’s Tennessee Comprehensive Systemwide Planning Process (TCSPP).

Process and Procedures for Submission of the Consolidated Application under NCLB  

FY 2008-2009

1. Each LEA must submit an electronic copy of its application (via e-mail) and an original signature page with all required information (paper—cannot be faxed) to its assigned NCLB Field Service Consultant in order to receive funds.
2. Each NCLB Field Service Consultant will be responsible for providing technical assistance to his/her assigned LEAs in the development of the programs reflected in the application. The programs contained in the application will reflect the action plans developed and approved in the TCSPP.
3. In addition to the FY09 electronic Consolidated Application files, each LEA must submit a completed Budget Worksheet and preliminary FY09 NCLB Budget Spreadsheet to its assigned NCLB consultant.
4. The assurance pages are an essential part of the application. The signatures on the first page of the application constitute the LEA’s agreement and understanding of the assurances.
5. LEAs that desire a beginning date of July 1, 2008 for their consolidation project should submit the completed electronic application files, original completed signature page, completed Budget Worksheet, and preliminary FY09 NCLB Budget Spreadsheet to their assigned NCLB Field Service Consultant by the deadline set by his/her NCLB Field Service Consultant, which will be prior to mid-May. (NCLB Field Service Consultants must have received, reviewed, revised (if necessary) and submitted the LEA applications electronically (via e-mail) to the SDE no later than May 30, 2008.)
6. The application will be reviewed again by staff members of the Office of Federal Programs as a part of a team reading process. If changes are necessary, the assigned NCLB Field Service Consultant will consult with the LEA to make the necessary adjustments to the application.
7. To obtain final approval, the LEA must receive all green fields on the FY09 System Status page.
8. After final approval, the Director/Superintendent will receive written notification from the Executive Director of Federal Programs.
9. If an application is not approvable, the Department will abide by EDGAR 76.401 by notifying the LEA of the Department's decision and the appeal process available under EDGAR.
10. When allocations become final, the LEA will receive a grant award signed by the Executive Director of Federal Programs which will indicate the grant awards for all title programs approved in the NCLB Consolidated Application.
11. The final allocations for each LEA under each title program will be posted on FACTS.
12. When the LEA carryover amounts are finalized, the LEA must revise its preliminary NCLB budget so that it reflects the final allocations and any carryover amounts for each title program.
13. The LEA must submit the revised NCLB budget to its assigned NCLB Field Service Consultant. The Field Service Consultant will conduct a budget monitoring using the Budget and Set-Asides Checklist.